Is there a powered towbar that can be easily adapted to work on a tailwheel? I would prefer electric rather than gas powered and don't care if it requires an extension cord or has some sort of rechargable battery setup.

Robotow has a bar for a Mooney that looks about the right size. They don't list any tailwheel adapter options.

How do you move your plane when it's in the hangar with low psi tires? I admit in advance, I am a delicate flower, but that's why my husband likes me so much.

http://www.powertow.com/Thundervolt-12- ... _p_17.html

I've owned the gas version and would do it again. I've also used the electric version. The adaptors are good quality and not "cheesy" like some of the others I've seen.

bill

electric winch mounted on the hangar floor

downhill push out the door.

http://www.besttugs.com/

These guys are friends of mine, and I've seen the tugs and used them. Easy to use on a taildragger without modification. All electric, tons of torque, auto brakes so it can't roll away, etc. They just launched the business at Sun n' fun, and sold out of existing stock fast. I have no if they are re-stocked now, but the build quality is awesome.

+1 on Powertow

I have a gasoline model for my Maule (bought it used). A bit of a learning curve when pushing plane forward, but pulling it backwards is a snap. Like most of the motorized tugs they are primarily designed for nose gear.

USA made in Eastern Washington (Spokane area).

TD

I have a friend with a nice one that's powered by an electric drill. I ought to be by his place in a week or so, I'll post a pic when I'm out there next.

CamTom12 wrote:I have a friend with a nice one that's powered by an electric drill. I ought to be by his place in a week or so, I'll post a pic when I'm out there next.

So. Damn. Slow.

Better than nuthin' I suppose...

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

X2 or whatever for using a gas Powertow. Works well and starts very easy. A little too fast, if anything; best for going straight in or not. Not so good for tight quarter maneuvering.

I use the power tow 40EZ. With bushwheels, the plane can be difficult to move both out of and in to the hangar, especially with low psi. The winch is good but only pulls the plane in. And I find that I can maneuver the plane around with the power tow. There is a variable speed clutch mechanism so you can go as slowly as you need really.

I think most folks are like me - with a T-hangar there just isn't enough room to get a big bulky tow behind the tailwheel to bring the plane into or out of the hangar. That's why a floor mounted winch will work best for bringing the plane in.

I don't have bushwheels yet on my 1700lb plane - but I know as soon as i get them I'm done pushing the plane out by hand. It's hard enough for a smallish guy like myself on 8.50s. If my hangar wasn't slightly downhill to push out I'd likely be looking sooner for something. Not even talking about snow and ice yet.

My plan is to buy an ATV with a ball hitch and rig a portable towbar out of thick pvc pipe and cord or amsteel to wrap around the gear legs. ATV will be 4wd and maybe even possibly chains.

At least an ATV will have multiple uses - these tugs are 2 to 4 grand and I'd rather spend that money on gas or avionics (or my p-ponk trust fund). You can get a pretty nice ATV or electric golf cart for $1200 - and have something to run around the airport in visit your buddys in.

Squash wrote:I use the power tow 40EZ. With bushwheels, the plane can be difficult to move both out of and in to the hangar, especially with low psi. The winch is good but only pulls the plane in. And I find that I can maneuver the plane around with the power tow. There is a variable speed clutch mechanism so you can go as slowly as you need really.

Squash, I bought my PT used so maybe the clutch is worn or needs adjusting. I set the throttle as low as i can, then feather the clutch to get it moving, but the unit jumps and hopes like the clutch is grabbing. I didn't give it much though until I saw your post. Sounds like I need to look into getting the clutch to work better if they normally operate smoother than mine?

Squash, I bought my PT used so maybe the clutch is worn or needs adjusting. I set the throttle as low as i can, then feather the clutch to get it moving, but the unit jumps and hopes like the clutch is grabbing. I didn't give it much though until I saw your post. Sounds like I need to look into getting the clutch to work better if they normally operate smoother than mine?

No refund! You break you buy!

dudestickle wrote:

Squash, I bought my PT used so maybe the clutch is worn or needs adjusting. I set the throttle as low as i can, then feather the clutch to get it moving, but the unit jumps and hopes like the clutch is grabbing. I didn't give it much though until I saw your post. Sounds like I need to look into getting the clutch to work better if they normally operate smoother than mine?

No refund! You break you buy!

Haha, yes! You gave me a good deal so no worries there. I've been using it a lot and it works well. Just wondering how it compares to others. I may have worn the clutch out, but don't really know.

It has really made moving the Bearhawk much easier, especially with 70 gallons on board and 7 psi in the bushwheels.

I have a Lindbergh Aircraft Caddy 4K Jr to move my P172D around. The attachment points are custom made for whatever airplane the owner has, so I'm sure that they could make one for the Bearhawk or any other taildragger. This webpage tells you as much as you might want to know.

http://www.djproducts.com/product-categ ... aQod7oMNwA

It'll cost a little north of $2000, depending on options and shipping costs. I have chains for it, for moving the airplane through snow or ice--handles about 4" of wet snow. It's very well made, and mine has been 100% trouble free now for the 3 years that I've had it. I consider it one of my best purchases--it has saved my back, and it's much more convenient to use than hitching my long tow bar to my car or pickup.

Here's a decent pic of mine; I added the lights for night time, because the ramp by my hangar isn't very well lit--makes it easier to see to attach it to the airplane. I also replaced one of the handle's attachment bolts with a 1/2" hitch pin, which makes it easy to fold as shown in the picture, so that I don't have to disconnect it from the airplane to close the hangar door.



Here's yours truly, moving the airplane into the hangar:



Cary

blackrock wrote:

dudestickle wrote:

Squash, I bought my PT used so maybe the clutch is worn or needs adjusting. I set the throttle as low as i can, then feather the clutch to get it moving, but the unit jumps and hopes like the clutch is grabbing. I didn't give it much though until I saw your post. Sounds like I need to look into getting the clutch to work better if they normally operate smoother than mine?

No refund! You break you buy!

Haha, yes! You gave me a good deal so no worries there. I've been using it a lot and it works well. Just wondering how it compares to others. I may have worn the clutch out, but don't really know.

It has really made moving the Bearhawk much easier, especially with 70 gallons on board and 7 psi in the bushwheels.

Turn the unit over and you will see how the clutch mechanism works. You will also see why the hand lever should give you a smooth and variable output. The amount of tension against the drive belt is adjustable.

Thanks Squash, I'll give that a try.

You can order a new belt for the clutch from PT which will most likely solve your problem. I had the same issue with a used unit, worked but slipping robbed it of power and was not smooth.

Cheers

Whenever you slip a clutch, including one that just tightens a drive belt, too much slipping will result in glazing the materials due to excessive heat--and that leads to rough engagement, i.e., chattering. There are sprays that can be used to minimize the glazing, but the best solution is just replace the belt. After that, don't slip to engage more than absolutely necessary, and it should last a long time.

Cary

Here is the tow system I am looking at for my new to me 1999 M7-260.

http://www.minimaxtugs.com/product-p/028boss.htm

Just bought an old lawn tractor for 200$. Stripped off the mower, painted and put a hitch on front. I built a hookup for the 170 similar to hand tows. Tractor is about 700 lbs and pulls great on sand or grass. It will take up about 10 feet behind plane however.